'Glee' recap: Chewing on faith and divine grilled cheese

Holy grilled cheese! The “Glee” writers sure sandwiched a lot into Tuesday night’s episode, giving viewers who complained that last week’s Britney Spears confection was overdone, tasteless and all empty calories a lot to chew on. The episode sank its teeth into the big questions: Is there a God? Should we believe? And, most importantly, if Jesus appeared to you on a grilled-cheese sandwich, and you maybe got three wishes, what would you wish for? (Please don’t say getting to second base with Rachel -- that wish has been taken.)

It was “Glee’s” faith episode, though George Michael was nowhere in sight. (Suggestions for other pop songs that would have suited the theme? Please share them in the comments section.) Then again, who could see anything through the blur of tears? Kurt wasn’t the only one who went through the episode with red, swollen eyes (Chris Colfer is a true master of the been-crying-for-days look) after his dad, Burt, collapsed of a heart attack in his garage while cracking lame (but sweet) self-deprecating jokes.

Kurt’s relationship with his dad is one of the show’s warmest and most nuanced, and to see it in danger, and to watch how Kurt responded to the possibility of losing his dad, well, let’s just say it was a major mood crash that was a far cry from last week’s laughing-gas-induced debauched delirium.

In many ways, it was a tough episode to get through, though it did present an opportunity for some transcendent (and admirably plot-advancing) numbers. Finn’s version of REM’s “Losing My Religion” was a highlight, as was Kurt’s emotionally piercing “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” which made me cry only a little less than he did. Puck’s “Only the Good Die Young” (the Billy Joel song was a continuation of his streak of doing only songs by Jewish artists, he noted) worked, too, but watching Rachel sing that "Yentl" song (“Papa, Can You Hear Me?”) in Kurt’s dad’s hospital room, reaching around the wires and beeping machines to fondle his bald head while calling him “Papa” and singing about missing his kiss goodnight, was more than a little discomfiting. I know Kurt later regretted kicking her (and Quinn and Mercedes and Finn and his mom) out of the room, but really, it seemed like justified irritation to me.

And Mercedes’ spirituals? Honestly, I was disappointed. Whether you’re a believer or a non-believer, it’s hard not to feel something lift and expand in your chest when someone belts out a big, heartfelt gospel number. Surely all of us “Glee” watchers believe in the miracle of good music, its ability to heal and uplift and move and delight. But both of Mercedes numbers -- in the chorus room and in church, with her well-turned-out congregation clapping and swaying along -- left me strangely unmoved. Mercedes sang admirably, beautifully even, but she didn’t seem truly transported by the music; so we weren’t.

Neither was Kurt. Or wait, was he? It’s hard to know whether to credit Mercedes’ song, a gospel take on “Bridge Over Troubled Waters,” and introductory speech (about the necessity of believing in something beyond what we can detect with our senses) with helping Kurt to espouse his own true belief. He doesn’t believe in God, he told his comatose father, but he does believe in him, and in their relationship. That, to him, is sacred. (Cue Joan Osborne’s “One of Us.”) Kurt also seemed to come around to believing in the power of friendship, which is helpful when you’re a character in an ensemble show.

At turns silly and serious, the faith episode presented viewers with a nice smorgasbord of approaches to religion and belief: Some people find God, if only temporarily, in a wish-granting singed grilled-cheese sandwich. Others see it in living life to its fullest: “I see God every time I make out with a new chick,” says Puck.  For some, like Rachel, religion is a matter of culture and tradition. For others, like Mercedes and Quinn, faith is a way to get through life when things get rough. For some, religion is boring: “Whenever I pray I fall asleep,” Brittany says. And for others, it’s a form of oppression: “Asking someone to believe in a fantasy, however comforting, isn’t a moral thing to do. It’s cruel,” says Sue. “It’s as arrogant as telling someone how to believe in God and if they don’t accept it, no matter how open-hearted and honest their dissent, they’re going to hell.”

And for some, believing in God is pure self-delusion: “I think God is kind of like Santa Claus for adults,” Kurt says, channeling Bertrand Russell (Kurt-style) as he adds, “You can’t prove that there isn’t a magic teapot floating around on the dark side of the moon with a dwarf inside of it that reads romance novels and shoots lightning out of its boobs, but it seems pretty unlikely, doesn’t it?” 

But what do you think of the episode? Did you find the whole religion thing a little awkward and didactic (like Tina says, “Last week we were too sexy; this week we’re too religious. We can’t win!”) and not really what you look for in a show like “Glee”? Or did you relish the chance to chew on some big thoughts and see facets of the show’s characters we may not have seen before? Were you pleased with the song selections? And how old do you think that grilled-cheese sandwich was by the time Finn finally ate it?

-- Amy Reiter

Photo: Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer and Naya Rivera in "Glee." Credit: Fox

Comments

[Brad'll Do It]

Having read the comments above, it dawned on me that what was missing from last night's Glee was FOCUS. The show has usually taken a point of view in an episode, and then explored it. Last night, it was unfocused, trying to encompass everyone's point of view, and therefore, lost something (energy? edge? intensity?... whatever). I do hope focus returns, 'cause without it, the show loses a LOT.

[Cara]

Although I'm a big Glee fan, I had several complaints about this episode:

1) I just didn't believe some of the things that would happen. Instead of Finn going from "he's the only dad I have, I'm crushed" to only caring about sex and the football game in no time flat, all the kids would have been hanging out with each other saying "wow, he might die. Death is real. What would I do if my parents died? What happens when you die?" It was like two storylines were awkwardly shoved together, and didn't fit.

2) There are few or no major religions that say "if you pray, you'll get whatever you want." And yet when both Kurt and Sue have identical reasons for being atheists, and those identical reasons are "my religion promised that if I prayed, death and illness would vanish," no one questions it?

3) I don't believe that Kurt's friends, knowing his wishes, would insist on praying IN his dad's hospital room (what, they think distance would ruin the magic?), and Mercedes would push him to go to church. If he were, say, Jewish or Muslim, would Mercedes have pushed him to go to her church? In my experience, you do everything you can to make it easy on friends who are suffering, not pick that moment to preach at him...

[Marlena]

This is a show about teenagers in the high school glee club correct? Why is the young lady in white wearing a blouse 2 sizes too small for her ample chest? Makes her look very trashy, ready and willing. Shame on you producers of this trash aimed at teenagers - society has enough problems with teen pregnancy.

[Loveit]

So interesting to read the comments. I thought it felt like atheists beating up on believers....and others here saw the exact opposite...

[phillygal]

I thought it was great. It presented religion from a bunch of different angles and managed to have both touching and funny moments. I loved seeing the characters be characters and not just someone doing a music video (though I loved last week's episode as well, it required a whole lot of anesthesia). It was nice to see the music worked into an actual plot. As a Christian, I don't see any reason for people to be offended by this episode. I mean, come on, they presented the aspects of religion in so many ways and did it well, and it's a tv show for crying outloud. Great job show, I think it brought balance w/ last weeks britney episode.

[Crystal]

I think this was quite possibly THE BEST episode yet. It touches on tough issues of spirituality and faith in a humorous way that makes us all think critically. For a more complete review, check out my blog here: http://www.soulmunchies.com/?p=1854

[Angela Phillips]

My husband and I really liked the "Faith" Glee show last night. Great questions that real people wrestle with. Loved the authenticity of the show. Loved that you had the courage to "go" to "God." Thank you for not being terribly Hollywood predictable when dealing with "Jesus." I was moved by the prayer theme. I looked over at my husband and his eyes were full of tears. The songs were very effective.
Great Job!!

Who was the writer and what is their "faith position?"

[Clare]

I thought last night's episode was so bad it was embarrassing. I actually turned the channel halfway through.

[Fabrisse]

"2) There are few or no major religions that say "if you pray, you'll get whatever you want." And yet when both Kurt and Sue have identical reasons for being atheists, and those identical reasons are "my religion promised that if I prayed, death and illness would vanish," no one questions it? "

That wasn't Kurt's reason at all. Sue's yes, but Kurt pointed out that he'd been marginalized by Christians before presenting the rationalist argument -- and using Bertrand Russell among others to do it.

@Marlena -- The character in the tight blouse was demoted on the cheerleading squad for having had a boob job over the summer and the one on the left was a teen mother whose delivery we saw in the season finale last year.

[EightyEightPercent . com]

I think everything you experience or witness throughout your life contributes to whether you do or do not believe in God, including this episode. But for those of us who do believe, we need to be glad for that and have fun with it. Good songs.

[Mike]

Offensive is in the eye of the beholder. But the Glee writers are not trying to offend anyone, they're just presenting both sides of an issue, believer and non-believer. And you should be able to handle that, if your beliefs are strong. If they're shaky, you might react by getting defensive -- and offended.

[Daria]

Liked that it was more in-depth than the Britney episode. Liked that they bit into something deeper and yet found a way to make it speak to a wide audience. Liked that they tackled religion, an especially hot-button topic in the US. Didn't love the Yentl song but overall liked it.

[CTNM]

Hated the episode. WAY too religious for me. I much prefer a secular Glee.

[A Gay Mormon Boy]

Despite being packed with too many songs that had potential elsewhere (i.e., "Papa Can You Hear Me?"), I think this is one of the shows strongest episodes of all. It takes its message of diversity and takes it a step farther.

Interestingly, that’s the utopian vision of Glee in a nutshell: you might be a certain type of person, believe a certain way, or prefer a certain style of music, but despite any differences we might hold, you are loved, respected and valued because of who you are and who we are.

[Kelsey]

Personally, I think the episode was a little eye-opening. I am a Christian myself, and it was encouraging to see Mercedes reach out to Kurt in the way that she did. Others in the episode (Fin especially) do not handle religion well when it doesn't do anything for him. Many aspects of the show could be taken offensively, and yes, I think it's pretty bold for them to be shown on television so provocatively. However, I found it interesting that Kurt turns to faith in himself rather than faith in a higher power (God). The first time I watched this show, I was pretty offended...but I watched it again and was much more intrigued than offended. It's important for us to be aware of our image in society - what will we do to change that image?

[AGTfan101]

I didn't like this episode. It seemed to me to be false bravery to be tackling religion yet not including even one song that was really about the one that sparked the whole plot, Jesus. Losing My Religion was perfectly OK to include, according to the writers. But including one of about a zillion Christian contemporary songs that are out there (and some of them are pretty good) was a bridge too far (or a bridge over troubled waters, maybe). So in the end, despite the writers' claim that they gave equal time to faith and atheism, they really gave time to atheism and a vague "spirituality." Christianity, I guess, is too offensive for prime time TV unless it is being mocked.

[sarah]

I just thought it was BIZARRE that Finn did not sing "Faith" during the bedroom scene with Rachel. Could there have been a more perfect song for his voice, for the episode and for the scene, in which he's trying to get into Rachel's shirt?

I was waiting for it the whole episode, it had so clearly been set up - and then, nothing. Was it cut for some reason? Did they not get the rights?

It just made no sense.

The writing in this episode was awful. It was like they decided what songs they were going to do, and then just sadly strung some lame dialogue together to keep it going. Plus, I was let down by Sue's behavior at the end. I get it that she can be a softy, but she stood her ground about the church and state thing, and although that whole topic was ignorantly framed, her character should have maintained course. (Not that Joan Osborne's song is religious, but still.)